THIS winter just about every ski trail in the Northeast is snow covered, which is great for skiers, but not always the resorts.
There are only so many skiers to go around, and when the smaller, less crowded mountains are in full operation they draw from the big guys.
There are lots of events going on this time of year the skiers and riders can have fun with and also take advantage of the special deals being offered up by the ski resorts.
Usher in spring and say goodbye to winter at the third annual Adirondack Almost Springfest, beginning Saturday and running to March 20 at the Olympic venues in Lake Placid.
The New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority is offering this family-oriented week-long celebration. It will have the Luge Challenge, two-for-one adult ski or snowboard lessons, slopestyle and super pipe championships at Whiteface, learn-to-ski jump and luge at the Ski Jumping Complex and the Springathlon and skijoring at the Cross Country Center.
For the complete Adirondack Almost Springfest schedule of events, go to its web site at http://www.whitefacelakeplacid.com.
The folks at Belleayre Mountain in the Catskills want to thank their loyal customers with a Skier Appreciation Day tomorrow that offers lifts tickets for just $15. On Saturday, Belleayres Ski Patrol will have its annual Brook’s Chicken BBQ beginning at 6:30 p.m. with live music. The end of the weekend is College Student Super Sunday at Belleayre, which means $25 lift ticket for those who show a valid college ID.
Hunter Mountain is offering ski and stay packages that allow kids 17 and under to ski free.
Catamount Ski Area in the Berkshires is offering skiers and snowboarders a sweet deal if you buy a 2005-2006 season pass. You ski the rest of this month for free.
If you are a season-pass holder already you’ll get discounts on ski tuning and accessories, discounts on food from local and discounts on lift tickets from other ski areas in the Northeast.
Jennifer McNinch and Jim Richmond, a pair of Brooklynites, were married on top of Bear Mountain peak at Gore on Saturday. The bride, dressed in a long white coat, flowered hat, and ski boots, walked down the decorated race gates in the morning and skied for the rest of the day with McNinch donning a white veil on her helmet and garland wrapped around her ski poles.
Gore is also offering up free tickets to sons 19 and under on Sunday. Son Day Sunday features the family-oriented discount and a parent/son NASTAR race.
The University of Vermont and Stowe Mountain Resort are the hosts for the 2005 NCAA Alpine Skiing Championships this week.
Mount Snow will host the J4 Vermont State Championships starting tomorrow and running through Sunday. The three-day racing event will feature Super-G, Slalom and Giant Slalom competitions at both Haystack and Mount Snow.
Youth Pay Their Age Day is at Mount Snow on Sunday. Skiers and riders age 18 and under can buy a full day for a price equivalent to their own age. Kids 5 and under ski free at Mount Snow.
